Headaches worse for Red Wings' Andreas Lilja, who is concerned about readiness for next season

DETROIT -- Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja said his headaches have been "really bad'' the last couple of days, after having experienced some improvement in recent weeks.

He is concerned about being ready for the start of next season. He has been out since Feb. 28.

"I've heard players it takes up to a year, like (Andy) McDonald, he was out for 13 months,'' Lilja said. "Of course there's concern. (Teammate Brad Stuart) was out for six months. After this is over, I just have to sit down and take it easy for a while, see if that helps.''

Lilja said he can at least drive and he doesn't get dizzy, something other players with concussion-like symptoms have experienced.

"It's just headaches all the time,'' Lilja said. "It doesn't get worse because I drive a car or it doesn't get better because I lie down. I don't know what it is. I just have to wait."

He doesn't second-guess his decision to fight Nashville's Shea Webber, who tagged him with a punch to the chin.

"If I had been in the same situation, I probably would do the same thing again,'' Lilja said. "It was a frustrating moment, we were down 5-0, I just wanted to do something.''

Watching the playoffs has been difficult.

"That's the worst feeling right there. I can't do anything about it, just sit there and watch and hope,'' Lilja said. "I know these guys are going to pull it through somehow, but still it's really, really nerve-wracking to watch.''